Housing for a computing device

ABSTRACT

Improved housing for a computing device is disclosed. The improved housing is provided with one of an illuminable connector, a touch pad arrangement, and a palm rest stiffening plate. Normally, the illuminable connector and the touch pad arrangement are provided on external portions of a housing of the computing device such that they are available for user interaction. The palm rest stiffening plate is provided internal to a housing to provide stiffness or rigidity to a palm rest region of the housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No.60/134,084, entitled “HOUSING FOR A COMPUTING DEVICE”, and filed on May14, 1999, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by referencedfor all purposes. This application is also related to U.S. applicationSer. No. 09/389,915 entitled “DISPLAY HOUSING FOR COMPUTING DEVICE”,filed Sep. 3, 1999.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to computer system and, moreparticularly, to improved features for housings of computer systems.

2. Description of the Related Art

All computing devices, including portable computers and desktopcomputers, have housings that encloses the components and circuitry ofthe computing devices. These housings are known to include various ports(e.g., parallel port, serial port, audio port, PC-Card slot) at theirperiphery to allow external devices to electrically couple to thecomputing devices. Access to the various ports is normally provided byassociated connectors or slots that are provided as the periphery of thehousings. The external devices that electrically couple to these portstypically do so with plugs or cards that mate with the connectors orslots. One disadvantage with the conventional use of such connectors orslots is that they are not easily located. Another disadvantage is thatit is often difficult for users to determine whether proper connectionshave been made upon inserting the mating plugs or cards into theconnectors or slots.

Computing devices are also known to make use of a touch pad (or trackpad) as an input device to the computing devices. With portablecomputers, a palm rest portion of the base housing for the portablecomputers is often provided with a touch pad. Conventionally, touch padshave been attached with a bracket structure to the inside surface of thebase housing such that the touch pad is held in place from the inside ofthe base housing and made accessible through an opening in the palmrest.

Unfortunately, the conventional approaches to attaching the touch pad tothe base housing lead to problems. One problem with conventionalapproaches is that assembly is difficult because the touch pad isassembled and held in place from the inside of the base housing (i.e.,from the underside of the palm rest). Another problem with conventionalapproaches is that the touch pad is necessarily recessed below the topsurface of the palm rest by the thickness of the base housing at thepalm rest which tends to make its use by users more difficult.

Also, as base housings get thinner and lighter, the base housingsunfortunately get more flexible and thus less stiff. This even more truewith base housings that provide industrial design features into the basehousings because non-rectangular structures often associated with modernindustrial designs offer even less rigidity. While internal ridges havebeen used to increase strength, recent designs are not always amenableto providing for internal ribs. For example, when there is limited spaceinside the housing the ribs may not provide the desired stiffness.Furthermore, in some applications, particularly around sensitive partssuch as a Compact Disk (CD) drive or Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) drive,the strength of the walls enclosing the CD/DVD drive need tosubstantially resist deflections to prevent damage to the CD/DVD drive.As an example, in some of today's portable computers, a deflection ofmore than ½ millimeter around the CD/DVD drive can damage the sensitiveparts of the CD/DVD drive. The ability of housing to sufficiently resistsuch deflection is becoming increasingly difficult as base housingbecome thinner and provide industrial design features. As an example, inthe case of a portable computer, one test that can be applied to testdeflection is that a base housing must not deflect more than ½millimeter when put under a 10 lb. force.

Thus, there is a need for improved housings for computing devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Broadly speaking, the invention relates to an improved housing for acomputing device. A first aspect of the invention pertains to anilluminable connector suitable for use with the computing device. Asecond aspect of the invention pertains to a touch pad arrangement alsosuitable for use with the computing device. Both the illuminableconnector and the touch pad arrangement can be provided on externalportions of a housing of the computing device such that they areavailable for user interaction. A third aspect of the invention pertainsto a palm rest stiffening plate.

The invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as anapparatus, a device, a method, and a computer system. Severalembodiments of the invention are discussed below.

As an illuminable connector for use with a computer having a lightsource, one embodiment of the invention includes a connector configuredto transmit signals to and from the computer, and a light emittingenclosure having a light receiving area and an illuminating area. Thelight emitting enclosure is configured to direct light from the lightsource through said light emitting enclosure from the light receivingarea to the illuminating area, and said light emitting enclosure isdisposed around the outer periphery of said connector.

As a computer system, one embodiment of the invention includes a lightsource, a computer housing configured to enclose said light source, andan illuminable connector provided at an outer peripheral surface of saidcomputer housing. The illuminable connector including a connectorconfigured to transmit signals to and from said computer system, and alight emitting enclosure having a light receiving area and anilluminating area. The light emitting enclosure being configured todirect light from said light source through said light emittingenclosure from the light receiving area to the illuminating area, andsaid light emitting enclosure being disposed around the outer peripheryof said connector.

As a method for illuminating a translucent connector that is connectedto an outer peripheral surface of a computer housing, one embodiment ofthe invention includes the acts of: transmitting light from a lightsource enclosed in the computer housing; receiving the transmitted lightat a light receiving portion of the translucent connector; directing thetransmitted light from the light receiving portion of the translucentconnector through the translucent connector to an outer periphery of thetranslucent connector such that light is directed outward away from theouter periphery of the computer housing.

As a touch pad apparatus, one embodiment of the invention includes: ahousing having an outer surface and an opening through said housing,said housing further including a first recess within the outer surfaceabout the opening to produce a first recessed surface; and a track padsaid track pad being disposed in the first recess.

As a portable computer housing, one embodiment of the inventionincludes: a bottom portion providing a bottom surface for said portablecomputer housing; a top portion providing a top surface for saidportable computer housing, said top surface having a palm rest region;and a stiffener affixed to an inner surface of the palm rest region ofsaid top portion. The top portion and said bottom portion are coupledtogether to form said portable computer housing. The stiffener operatesto provide stiffness to the palm rest region substantially beyond thestiffness otherwise provided by said top portion.

As a stiffening system for providing strength to a portable computerhousing, one embodiment of the invention includes a computer housing anda stiffening plate. The computer housing including at least a topportion and a bottom portion. The top portion has an inner surface andan outer surface, and the top portion includes a palm rest region on theouter surface. The bottom portion is configured to be coupled to the topportion such that said top portion and said bottom portion when coupledtogether form said portable computer housing. The stiffening plate isconfigured to be coupled to the inner surface of said top portion ofsaid computer housing and the stiffening plate is configured tostrengthen said palm rest region.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention, together with further advantages thereof, may best beunderstood by reference to the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram of a portable computer;

FIG. 2 illustrates an illuminable connector arranged on a portablecomputer;

FIG. 3 depicts a side and front view of an illuminable connectoraccording to one embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams of a side view and a perspective view of atouch pad system according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a stiffening plate according to oneembodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a portion of a top portion of a base housing foruse with a computer system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention pertains to an improved housing for a computing device.More particularly, a first aspect of the invention pertains to anilluminable connector suitable for use with the computing device. Asecond aspect of the invention pertains to a touch pad arrangement alsosuitable for use with the computing device. Both the illuminableconnector and the touch pad arrangement can be provided on externalportions of a housing of the computing device such that they areavailable for user interaction. A third aspect of the invention pertainsto a palm rest stiffening plate.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to FIGS.1-6. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that thedetailed description given herein with respect to these figures is forexplanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limitedembodiments.

FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram of a portable computer 100. The portablecomputer 100 includes a base 102 and a lid 104. The base 102 housesinternally various integrated circuit chips and other circuitry toprovide computing operations for the portable computer 100. Theintegrated circuit chips and other circuitry include a microprocessor,Read-Only Memory (ROM), Random-Access Memory (RAM), a disk drive, abattery, and various input/output (I/O) support circuitry. The base 102also includes a keyboard 106 that allows a user of the portable computer100 to enter alphanumeric data. The base 102 also includes a track pad108 and associated buttons 110 and 112. The track pad 108 is an inputdevice for the portable computer 100 and generally represents an inputpointer device. The associated buttons 110 and 112 allow a user to makea selection with respect to a graphical user interface. The track pad108 and the buttons 110 and 112 are located in an upper, front area ofthe base 102 referred to as a palm rest 113. Additionally, the base 102includes a power switch 114 and miscellaneous switches 116.

The lid 104 is coupled to the base 102 by way of a hinge mechanism (notshown). As such, the lid 104 can rotate into an open position or aclosed position with respect to the base 102. As illustrated in FIG. 1,the lid 104 is in the open position. The lid 104 contains a liquidcrystal display (LCD) 118. The LCD display 118 is visible to a user ofthe portable computer 100 when the lid 104 is in the open position, suchas illustrated in FIG. 1. The LCD display 118 is used to display thegraphical user interface (including perhaps a pointer or cursor) as wellas other information to the user. The LCD display 118 is surrounded at aperipheral region by a bezel 120 that serves to support the LCD display118 in its assembled position within the lid 104. When the lid 104 is ina closed position, an outer surface 122 of the lid 104 is visible butthe LCD display 118 and the bezel 120 are no longer visible to the user.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a connector with anilluminable enclosure is provided. In one embodiment, the illuminationprovided is used to show a computer user (operator) whether or not aconnection is made between a plug and a socket that are operativelycoupled together. For ease of discussion, the term “illuminableconnector” herein refers to a connector that includes an illuminableenclosure.

In one embodiment of the invention, the illuminable connector isstructurally coupled to a surface of a computer housing. FIG. 2illustrates an illuminable connector 200 arranged on a portable computer202. The portable computer 200 is, for example, a side view of theportable computer 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. The portable computer 200includes a base 204 and a lid 206 which respectively correspond to thebase 102 and the lid 104 illustrated in FIG. 1. The portable computer200 is illustrated in the closed position in FIG. 2.

The illuminable connector 202 can be provided on any side of theportable computer 200. Typically, the illuminable connector 202 iscoupled to a peripheral surface of the base 204 (or base housing). Thebase 204 is arranged to have an opening for the illuminable connector202. The illuminable connector 202 is provided in the opening so thatnot only is the illuminable connector 202 accessible for the purpose ofinserting or removing a plug with respect to the illuminable connector202 but also any illumination provided at the illuminable connector 202can be seen by a computer operator.

In one embodiment, the illuminable connector 202 includes a socket(e.g., female) end of a connection that is structurally coupled to aperipheral surface of a computer housing. The illuminable connector 202is made in part with a light guiding material that directs light from alight source internal to the computer housing to outside the computerhousing. In a first embodiment, when a plug is operatively coupled tothe socket, the light source is turned on so as to illuminate theilluminable connector 202. With the first embodiment, the light sourceis off when the plug is not operatively coupled to the socket (i.e., noillumination). In a second embodiment, when the plug is operativelycoupled to the socket, the light source is turned off and when the plugis not operatively coupled to the socket the light source is on. Boththe first and second embodiments can thus advantageously display, to acomputer operator, whether or not a proper connection has been madebetween the plug and the socket. Namely, the presence or absence oflight is able to be associated with connection or no connection.

FIG. 3 depicts a side and front view of an illuminable connector 310according to one embodiment of the invention. The illuminable connector310 has a connector 312 and a light emitting enclosure 314. Theconnector 312 is configured to transmit electrical signals to and from acomputer. For example, the connector 312 may provide an audio/visualconnection, a telephony connection, a serial connection (e.g., UniversalSerial Bus), or a parallel connection. However, it should be noted thatthe connector 312 is not limited by these types of connections and thatany connection that uses a connector for electrical transmitting signalsto and from a computer may be used. Typically, the connections areprovided by a plug connector (e.g., male) and a socket connector (e.g.,female) that operatively couple an external device to a computer. As anexample, the external device can be a peripheral device. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 3, the connector 312 is a socket connector. Inother embodiment, it may be desirable to make the connector 12 a plugconnector.

The light emitting enclosure 314 is configured to be disposed around theouter periphery of the connector 312. That is, the light emittingenclosure 314 has an inner peripheral shape that coincides with at leasta portion of an external peripheral shape of the connector 312. Theouter peripheral shape of light emitting enclosure 314 can be configuredin a wide range of shapes, including circle, square, rectangle,triangle, polygon, or logos. In other words, the light emittingenclosure 314 can take any shape that substantially surrounds theconnector 312. The light emitting enclosure 314 may be structurallycoupled to the connector 312 or may include an opening that allowsconnector 312 to be fitted therein. Also, the light emitting enclosure314 may be configured to contact at least a portion of a surface of theconnector 12 or may include a gap therebetween. Although FIG. 3 showsonly one configuration (i.e., circular) for the connector 312 and thelight emitting enclosure 314, it should be noted that this is not alimitation on the invention and that any configuration, depending on thetype of connector used and the desired outer peripheral shape of theenclosure, can be used.

Furthermore, the light emitting enclosure 314 includes a light receivingarea 316, a light directing area 318, and an illuminating area 320. Thelight receiving area 316 is configured to transmit light from a lightsource 322 to the light directing area 318. In most situations, thelight receiving area 316 is formed to substantially adjacent to thelight source 22 to efficiently couple light from the light source 322 tothe light receiving area 316. Additionally, the light directing area 318is arranged to direct the transmitted light from the light receivingarea 316 to the illuminating area 320. In this manner, when the lightsource 322 is transmitting light, the transmitted light illuminates anilluminating area 320. By way of example, the light directing area 318may be a reflecting surface of the light emitting enclosure 14 thatreflects the transmitted light from light receiving area 316 towards theilluminating area 320. The dimensions and orientation of the reflectingsurface are arranged such that the reflected light is transmitted to theilluminating area 320. Moreover, the reflecting surface may be disposedinternal or external to the light emitting enclosure 314. However, itshould be noted that the light directing area 318 may not be needed andthat the light from the light source may be transmitted directly fromthe light receiving area 316 to the illuminating area 320.

Additionally, the illuminating area 320 is configured to transmit thedirected light outward away from the illuminable connector 310 so as toilluminate the light emitting enclosure 314 when the light source 322 isturned on. Basically, the illuminating area 320 is a surface on thelight emitting enclosure 314 that is luminous when the light source 322is turned on. In most instances, the illuminating area 320 is at leastpartially located on the distal face of the light emitting enclosure314. However, the illuminating area 320 is not limited to the distalface (i.e., front portion) and may be any surface of the illuminableenclosure including side and top portions. The distal face of the lightemitting enclosure 314 may be planar or non-planar. Additionally, thedistal face of the light emitting enclosure 314 may also be recessed,flush or extend out relative to the distal face of the connector 312.

The material that forms the illuminable enclosure must be suitable tofacilitate the transmission of light therethrough. Accordingly, thematerial must exhibit suitable translucent characteristics for properoperation. It may be advantageous if the material is easily formable todifferent types of shapes including both simple and complex geometries.Additionally, the material could also be determined with reference tothe environment it will be used in, such as impact strength andtemperature. In some implementations, such materials are easily formedby certain types of plastics or other translucent materials. In oneembodiment, the material can be composed of polycarbonate, althoughother suitable materials may be used as well.

As noted above, the illuminable connector 310 is often structurallycoupled to a peripheral surface of a computer housing. For example, theportable computer 200 (namely, base 204) may have an opening that isconfigured to hold the illuminable connector 310 on the insideperipheral surface of the base 204 and to provide illumination viewingspace for the illuminating area 320 of the illuminable connector 310.Additionally, the distal face of the light emitting enclosure 314 may berecessed, flush or extend outward relative to the outer peripheralsurface of the base 204. Also, the illuminable connector 310 is normallypositioned on a front, back or side surface of the base 204, but canalso be positioned on a surface of the lid 206.

The base 204 of the portable computer 200 is normally configured toenclose the light source 322 (see FIG. 3)) and other components (e.g.,hardware circuitry) associated with a computer. In one embodiment thelight source 322 is a light emitting diode. In one implementation, thelight source 322 is affixed to a printed circuit board 324 that isprovided within the base 204 as part of the components (e.g., hardwarecircuitry). Here, the illuminable connector 310 is also affixed relativeto the printed circuit board (and thus the light source 322). However,various other types of light sources that can fit inside a computerhousing can be used. Further, although the illuminable connector 310 canuse a single light source, more than one light source can also be used.For example, the illuminable connector 310 can used a pair of lightreceiving areas 316 and a corresponding pair of light sources (onedisposed on each side).

The illumination of the illumination area 320 can signal a computeroperator (or user) whether or not a proper connection is made with theilluminable connector 320. More particularly, when an operativeconnection is made between the socket (or plug) of the illuminableconnector 320 and an external plug (or socket), light is transmitted bythe light source, thereby illuminating the illumination area 320external to the computer housing such that the computer operator isvisually notified that a proper connection was made. Here, the lightsource 322 is activated once the circuitry within the portable computer200 determines that an external plug (or socket) has been properlyconnected.

Alternatively, the light source may be configured to be on when aconnection is not made and off when a connection is made.Advantageously, in dark situations, a computer operator would be able tosee the illuminable connector and make the proper connection with anexternal plug or socket.

The advantages of the first aspect of the invention are numerous.Different embodiments or implementations may have one or more of thefollowing advantages. One advantage of the invention is thatillumination of the connector provides information not only as tolocation of the connector but also whether or not a proper connection ismade. Another advantage of the invention is that the light used toprovide the illumination is provided internal to a computer housing anddirected towards an illumination area of the connector located at theperiphery of the computer housing. Still another advantage of theinvention is that the illumination area of the connector can be formedinto various different shapes or configurations for designconsiderations.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a touch pad arrangementfor a computer is provided. In one embodiment, the touch pad is arrangedwith a palm rest of a computer system.

A touch pad, sometimes referred to as “a pressure sensitive tablet” or a“track pad”, is an input device that typically is configured to move apointer (or cursor) on a display screen (e.g., LCD display 118). Themovement of an object, such as a finger or stylus, across the touch padcauses the pointer to move in a similar direction on the screen.Although touch pads can be provided in different apparatus, typicallytouch pads are provided on portable computers. For example, the computersystem 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes the touch pad 108 and theassociated buttons 110 and 112 at the palm rest 113.

Conventionally, a base housing for the portable computer is providedwith an opening in the palm rest to provide access to a touch pad. Auser (with finger to stylus) is able to use the touch pad through theopening in the palm rest. The touch pad is typically attached with abracket structure to the inside surface of the base housing such thatthe touch pad is held in place and accessible through the opening in thepalm rest. Unfortunately, the conventional approaches to attaching thetouch pad to the base housing lead to problems. One problem withconventional approaches is that assembly is difficult because the touchpad is assembled and held in place from the inside of the base housing(i.e., from the underside of the palm rest). Another problem withconventional approaches is that the touch pad is necessarily recessedbelow the top surface of the palm rest by the thickness of the basehousing at the palm rest which tends to be bothersome for users.

The touch pad arrangement for a computer according to the second aspectof the invention overcomes these problems with the conventionalapproaches. According to the invention, the touch pad arrangementprovides for simplified assembly. The assembly of the touch pad to thepalm rest is from the outside. The base housing is provided with amulti-recessed opening in the palm rest to receive the touch pad as wellas a protective label that is placed over the touch pad. Additionally,once assembled, the touch pad is substantially flush with the outersurface of the base housing, thereby providing better ease of use.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams of a side view and a perspective view of atouch pad system 410 according to one embodiment of the invention. Thetouch pad system 410 (not drawn to scale for ease of discussion)includes a track pad housing 412, a track pad 414 and a track pad label416. Typically, track pad housing 412 is part of a computer housing(e.g., base housing or palm rest). However, it should be noted that thetrack pad housing 412 could be associated with other apparatuses besidesa computer housing.

The track pad housing 412 has an outer surface 418 that includes anopening 420. As shown in FIG. 4B, the opening extends through the outersurface 418 to allow for wiring (not shown) of the track pad 414 to beprovided internal to the computer housing. The track pad housing 412also has a first recess 422 and a second recess 424 provided about theopening 420. The first recess 422 has a first recessed surface 426, andthe second recess 424 has a second recessed surface 428. The firstrecess 422 is configured to coincide with the shape of the track pad 414such that the track pad 414 will fit in the first recess 422 and againstthe first recessed surface 416. The second recess 424 is configured tocoincide with the shape of the track pad label 416. The circumference ofthe second recess 424 is greater than the circumference of the firstrecess 422. When assembled, the track pad label 416 fits within thesecond recess 424 and over the track pad 414. In one embodiment, thedepth of the first recess 422 is substantially the same as the thicknessof the track pad 414, and the depth of the second recess 424 issubstantially the same as the thickness of the track pad label 416.

The track pad 414 includes an input surface 30 that is configured toreceive user inputs (e.g., top surface of the track pad ). The track pad414 can detect the user inputs in a variety of ways including pressureand capacitance. The track pad label 416 serves to protect the track pad414 from foreign matter (e.g., fluids, dust, etc.) by sealing againstthe outer surface 418 in at least the second recessed surface.Preferably, the track pad label 416 is used to protect the input surface430 of the track pad 414. Correspondingly, the track pad label 416includes a contact surface 432 and an adhesive surface 434. The adhesivesurface 434 is used to couple the track pad label 416 to the track pad414 and the second recessed surface 428.

During assembly, the track pad 414 is disposed inside the first recess422 and adjacent to the first recessed surface 426. In one embodiment,the input surface 430 of the track pad 414 is substantially flush withthe second recessed surface 428 when the track pad 414 is disposedinside the first recess 422 and adjacent to the first recessed surface426. Additionally, after the track pad 414 is placed, the track padlabel 416 is disposed inside the second recess 424 and over to the trackpad 414 and the second recessed surface 428 such that the adhesivesurface 434 substantially covers the track pad and the second surface.The entire adhesive surface 434 need not have adhesive thereon, only theperipheral portion need contain adhesive. Once the track pad label 416is placed, the contact surface 432 of the track pad label 416 issubstantially flush with the outer surface 418 of the track pad housing412.

Moreover, the contact surface 432 of the track pad label 416 canoptionally include a ridge that surrounds the perimeter of the track pad414. In one embodiment, the ridge can serve as a boundary to the inputarea for the touch pad system 410. When the combination of the track pad414 and the track pad label 416 are flush with the track pad housing418, the ridge serves to provide a user of the track pad system 410 withcontext as to where the boundaries are for the input area where thetouch pad system 410 is active. FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate the track padlabel 416 with a ridge 436 according to one embodiment of the invention.The ridge 436 extends in a direction outward from the contact surface432. The ridge 436 should be dimensioned to be large enough for fingeror stylus sensitivity. In one implementation, the ridge 436 coincidesabove the outer perimeter of the track pad 414.

The advantages of the second aspect of the invention are numerous.Different embodiments or implementations may have one or more of thefollowing advantages. One advantage of the invention is that assembly ofa track pad (touch pad) into a housing, such as the base housing of aportable computer, is greatly simplified. Another advantage of theinvention is that a track pad (touch pad) is able to be mounted flushwith an outer surface of its housing, namely flush with a palm restsurface of a base housing of a portable computer.

A third aspect of the invention pertains to a stiffening plate(stiffener plate) for a housing associated with a computer. Theinvention is particularly suitable for a palm rest stiffening plate foruse with a palm rest of a portable computer. For example, the portablecomputer 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes the palm rest 113 positionedon an upper, front area of the base 102. Furthermore, the stiffeningplate may be configured to provide stiffness around other weak points ofthe computer housing. For example, the stiffening plate may be used tostiffen the weak sections of the computer housing around the CD/DVDdrive and keyboard, where the housing has limited structure and support.

The stiffening plate is configured to increase the strength of thehousing, which advantageously allows the thickness of the computerhousing walls to be decreased. In most instances, decreased wallthickness reduces the overall thickness and weight of the computer, bothof which are desired to make a portable computer lighter and thinner.

FIG. 5A illustrates a stiffening plate 510 according to one embodimentof the invention. The stiffening plate 510 is formed from a materialhaving rigid strength and lightweight properties. In one embodiment, thestiffening plate 510 is stamped and formed from an aluminum sheet. In apreferred embodiment, the stiffening plate is formed from a 5052 seriesaluminum sheet having a 0.5 mm thickness. Although the stiffening plateis preferably made from aluminum, it should be noted that any materialthat is substantially rigid (e.g., providing stiffness), while beinglightweight and relatively thin may be used.

The stiffening plate 510 also includes a plurality of dimples 512 thatserve to increase the stiffness (i.e., shear strength) of the stiffeningplate 510 when adhered to an adjacent surface such as a computerhousing. Preferably, the dimples when adhered to an adjacent surfacecreate a box like structure at each of the dimple positions. That is,the dimples and the surface form a corrugated laminate structure, whichprovides a stiff structure having good shearing strength. Referring toFIG. 5B, an example of a dimple box structure 514 is shown. The dimplebox structure 514 includes stiffening plate 510 having dimples 512.Preferably, dimples 510 provide flat surfaces 515 that are coupled to asurface 516 with an adhesive 518. For the most part, each dimple 512represents a glue joint for adhering the stiffening plate 510 to asurface 516. Advantageously, when the combination of the stiffeningplate 510, surface 516 and adhesive 518 is bonded together, a pluralityof joined boxes (e.g., honeycomb) are created which yield the desiredshear strength. For example, such a structure can enable a thin,lightweight housing to withstand deflection of more than ½ millimeterwhen put under a 10 lb. force.

Furthermore, the plurality of dimples 512 have a dimple depth 520. As iswell known in the art, the greater the depth of the dimple, the greaterthe stiffness of the structure. However, the dimple depth is generallyconstrained by the overall thickness of the computer and the adjacentinternal structures. For that reason, the dimples are preferablyconfigured to be shallow so as not to impact the overall thickness ofthe stiffening plate 510. In one embodiment, the dimple depth is about0.8 mm. Correspondingly, the overall height of the stiffening plate isabout 1.3 mm.

Referring back to FIG. 5A, the dimples 512 are patterned to maximize thestrength of the stiffening plate 510. Additionally, it should be notedthat the dimples 512 are not a limitation and that other manufacturingprocess that increases the strength of the stiffening plate may be used.For example, a stamped protrusion 522 may also be used in conjunctionwith the dimples to form the corrugated like structure. Furthermore, aformed edge 524 at the perimeter of the stiffening plate may also beused to increase the stiffness of the stiffening plate.

The stiffening plate 510 is also configured to provide openings 526 forfeatures such as connectors, wires and other computer components (e.g.,track pad, buttons). Furthermore, stiffening plate 510 may include holes528 for reducing the overall weight of the stiffening plate 510.Additionally, the stiffening plate 510 may include protrusions and/ordepressions that coincide with the housing shape. Also, as isappreciated by those skilled in the art, Aluminum can be easily formed(e.g., coining or stamping), and therefore many design features may beconfigured into the stiffening plate.

By way of example, the computer housing may be the base 102 of aportable computer 100 as shown in FIG. 1). In most situations, a basehousing (or base) includes the top portion and a bottom portion.Typically, the bottom portion is configured to be coupled to the topportion such that when the top portion and the bottom portion arecoupled together they form the base of the portable computer.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a portion of a top portion 618 of a base housingfor use with a computer system. An outer surface of the top portion 618of the housing has a palm rest (e.g., palm rest 113 of FIG. 1). The palmrest provides a space for resting the palms of the portable computeruser while the user types or uses a track pad on the portable computer.Because the palm rest is load bearing (e.g., weight of the user's palms)it is required to be strong (e.g., to prevent bowing or unduly flexing).To be able to support such a load, the inner surface of the top portion618 includes a stiffening plate 610. The stiffening plate 610 can, forexample, be the stiffening plate 510 illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B.More particularly, the stiffening plate 610 is affixed against the innersurface of the top portion 618 of the computer housing. In oneimplementation, the stiffening plate 610 has a shape that is configuredto coincide with the at least a portion of the shape of the palm rest.Correspondingly, the laminate structure of the top portion and thestiffening plate 610 preferably provides the required strength forsupporting the palm rest. It should be noted that the stiffening plate610 is not limited to only stiffening the palm rest region of a housingand that it may be used to stiffen other portions of a computer housingas well.

Moreover, the stiffening plate 610 is affixed to the inner surface ofthe top portion 618 with an adhesive (not shown). Namely, in oneembodiment, adhesive can be placed at each dimple and thus serves tobond the dimples to a mating region of the inner surface of the topportion 618 (see FIG. 5B). In one implementation, the adhesive is a twopart epoxy that bonds well between the material of the stiffening plateand the material of the top portion. Characteristically, this materialprovides good shear strength when combine with these two materials. Inone embodiment, the stiffening plate is formed from aluminum and the topportion is formed from plastic (e.g., polycarbonate ABS). In someimplementations, the top portion is nickel plated plastic. Preferably,in this implementation, the two part epoxy is a Lord 201 adhesive madeby Lord Corp. of Erie, Pa. It should be noted that other types ofadhesives can be used so long as they form a laminate bond with goodshear strength between the stiffener and the top portion.

Additionally, it should be noted that other fastening means may be used(e.g. screws, bolts, heat staked) to couple the stiffening plate to thetop portion, but none will produce the strength provided by thepermanent laminate structure that uses an adhesive as described above.In fact, in one embodiment, heat stakes are used to properly align thestiffening plate on the top portion during manufacturing. Typically,screws and bolts have too much weight and over time may come loose.Additionally, heat stakes overtime will become stressed and possiblybreak wherein the stiffening plate may come loose or may break off.

The stiffening plate 610 can also include a first plate opening 620 andthe top portion 618 can include a first top portion opening 622. Boththe first plate opening 620 and the first top portion opening 622 aredimensioned to fit around a portion of a track pad (not shown). In mostsituations, the first top portion opening 620 provides an opening for atrack pad provided in the palm rest of the top portion 618. Furthermore,the stiffening plate includes a recess (not shown) that provides amounting surface for the track pad. In this configuration, the recesstraps and holds the track pad in position between the stiffening plateand the top portion 618.

Moreover, the stiffening plate 610 includes extensions 624 and the topportion 618 includes a second top portion opening 626. The second topportion opening 626 is dimensioned to fit around (i.e., not interferewith) a portion of a set of keys of a keyboard. Correspondingly, theextensions 624 are configured to surround a portion of the second topportion opening 626. In this manner, the extensions increase thestiffness at a potential weak area 628 between the location of the keypad and the CD/DVD drive opening in the top portion 618.

Additionally, the configuration and placement of the stiffening platemay cause the stiffening plate to act like an antenna. Therefore, theconductive stiffening plate should be grounded. In one embodiment, toprovide grounding, at least one EMI (electromagnetic interference)gasket 630 is disposed between the top portion 618 and the stiffeningplate 610 to ground the stiffening plate 610 to the top portion 618. Itshould be noted that more than one EMI gasket may be needed to provideadequate grounding, and therefore the present invention is not limitedby one EMI gasket and that a plurality of EMI gaskets may be used. Inone case, the EMI gaskets 630 is a strip of foam surrounded by aconductive material. In this manner, the foam provides a spring-likesurface that ensures contact between the stiffening plate and the topportion which itself has a conductive inner coating (e.g., nickel platedplastic).

Accordingly, the third aspect of the invention provides significantimprovements to the structure, ruggedness and strength of the basehousing (e.g., palm rest portion) of a computer. Furthermore, throughuse of a stiffening plate, the palm rest portion is able to be thin, butextremely stiff, and thus the housing as whole can have a reduced inthickness. The stiffening the palm rest is also achieved with arelatively small amount of additional weight. Additionally, thestiffening plate creates such a stiff structure that the materials thatform the internal housings for parts such as the enclosure for theCD/DVD drive could be changed to less rigid and thus less weightedmaterials. Basically, the stiffer housing makes it possible to have aless stiff structure around the CD/DVD drive to support it. For example,the CD/DVD support could be changed from steel to aluminum. Therefore,the third aspect invention supports the further reduction in thicknessand weight for portable computers.

Although the invention is particularly well suited for use in a computersystem, namely a portable computer system, the invention is not limitedto use in computer systems. The invention is suitable for other devicesor apparatuses that include a touch pad or track pad.

The advantages of the second aspect of the invention are numerous.Different embodiments or implementations may have one or more of thefollowing advantages. One advantage of the invention is that assembly issimplified which reduces manufacturing costs associated with labor andparts. Another advantage of the invention is that the flush designimproves user satisfaction.

The many features and advantages of the present invention are apparentfrom the written description, and thus, it is intended by the appendedclaims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention.Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur tothose skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention tothe exact construction and operation as illustrated and described.Hence, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to asfalling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An illuminable connector for use with a computerhaving a light source, said illuminating connector comprising: aconnector configured to transmit signals to and from the computer; and alight emitting enclosure having a light receiving area and anilluminating area, said light emitting enclosure being configured todirect light from the light source through said light emitting enclosurefrom the light receiving area to the illuminating area, and said lightemitting enclosure being disposed around the outer periphery of saidconnector.
 2. An illuminable connector as recited in claim 1, whereinsaid light emitting enclosure is formed from a translucent material. 3.An illuminable connector as recited in claim 1, wherein said lightemitting enclosure is formed from plastic.
 4. An illuminable connectoras recited in claim 3, wherein the plastic is polycarbonate.
 5. Anilluminable connector as recited in claim 1, wherein said light emittingenclosure has an interior peripheral shape that coincides with at leasta portion of an external peripheral shape of said connector.
 6. Anilluminable connector as recited in claim 1, wherein said connector isone of a socket or a plug.
 7. A computer system, comprising: a lightsource; a computer housing configured to enclose said light source, saidcomputer housing having an outer peripheral surface; and an illuminableconnector provided at the outer peripheral surface of said computerhousing, said illuminable connector including: a connector configured totransmit signals to and from said computer system; and a light emittingenclosure having a light receiving area and an illuminating area, saidlight emitting enclosure being configured to direct light from saidlight source through said light emitting enclosure from the lightreceiving area to the illuminating area, and said light emittingenclosure being disposed around the outer periphery of said connector.8. A computer system as recited in claim 7, wherein said connector is asocket, and wherein said light source is turned on when the socket isoperatively connected to a mating plug.
 9. A computer system as recitedin claim 7, wherein said connector is a socket, and wherein said lightsource is turned off when the socket is operatively connected to amating plug.
 10. A computer system as recited in claim 7, wherein saidlight source is a light emitting diode.
 11. A computer system as recitedin claim 7, wherein said light source is affixed within said computerhousing relative to said illuminable connector.
 12. A computer system asrecited in claim 11, wherein said light source is affixed to a printedcircuit board utilized within said computer housing.
 13. A method forilluminating a translucent connector that is connected to an outerperipheral surface of a computer housing, the method comprising:transmitting light from a light source enclosed in the computer housing;receiving the transmitted light at a light receiving portion of thetranslucent connector; directing the transmitted light from the lightreceiving portion of the translucent connector through the translucentconnector to an outer periphery of the translucent connector such thatlight is directed outward away from the outer periphery of the computerhousing.
 14. An illuminable connector as recited in claim 5, wherein thelight emitting enclosure has an outer peripheral shape.
 15. Anilluminable connector as recited in claim 14, wherein the outerperipheral shape is a circle.
 16. An illuminable connector as recited inclaim 14, wherein the outer peripheral shape is a square, rectangle,triangle, polygon or logo.
 17. An illuminable connector as recited inclaim 1, wherein the light emitting enclosure includes an opening thatallows the connector to be fitted therein.
 18. An illuminable connectoras recited in claim 1, wherein the light emitting enclosure furthercomprises a light directing area configured to direct light from thelight source through said light emitting enclosure from the lightreceiving area to the illuminating area.
 19. An illuminable connector asrecited in claim 18, wherein the light directing area is a reflectingsurface that is configured to reflect the transmitted light from thelight receiving area towards the illuminating area.
 20. An illuminableconnector as recited in claim 1, wherein the light emitting enclosureincludes a first distal end, wherein the connector includes a seconddistal end, and wherein the first distal end is flush with the seconddistal end.
 21. An illuminable connector as recited in claim 1, whereinthe light emitting enclosure includes a first distal end, wherein theconnector includes a second distal end, and wherein the first distal endextends past the second distal end.
 22. An illuminable connector asrecited in claim 1, wherein the computer has a second light source, andwherein the light emitting enclosure includes a second light receivingarea, said light emitting enclosure being configured to direct lightfrom the second light source through said light emitting enclosure fromthe second light receiving area to the illuminating area.
 23. Anilluminable connector as recited in claim 1, wherein the signal is adata signal.
 24. An illuminable connector as recited in claim 23,wherein the connector provides an audio/visual connection, a telephonyconnection, a serial connection or a parallel connection.
 25. Anilluminable connector as recited in claim 1, wherein the light source isconfigured to transmit light when an operative connection is made at theconnector so as to visually notify a user that a proper connection wasmade.
 26. An illuminable connector as recited in claim 7, wherein thelight emitting enclosure includes a distal end, and wherein the distalend extends out relative to the outer peripheral surface of the computerhousing.
 27. An illuminable connector as recited in claim 7, wherein thelight emitting enclosure includes a distal end, and wherein the distalend is flush with the outer peripheral surface of the computer housing.28. An illuminable connector as recited in claim 7, wherein the lightsource is configured to transmit light external to the computer housingvia the light emitting enclosure when an operative connection is made atthe connector such that a computer operator is visually notified that aproper connection was made.